Cherokee Nation says it will appeal UKB land in trust

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation is appealing the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ decision to place 2.03 acres in trust for another Tahlequah-based tribe.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd Hembree refuted Monday’s decision by the federal government that allows the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to continue operating their Tahlequah casino and gives the smaller tribe co-jurisdiction across 14 northeastern Oklahoma counties.

“I mean no ill will towards our UKB brothers and sisters, or to their government,” Hembree said. “However, this land has always been, and always will be, under the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation.”

The Cherokee Nation has objected to previous attempts by the United Keetoowah Band to place land in trust. Monday’s decision came within hours of a casino closure deadline established by a June agreement signed between the United Keetoowah Band and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt.

Had the decision not come down Monday, 124 casino employees would have been placed on paid administrative leave through Aug. 24 or until the situation was resolved.

The salaries of an additional 72 tribal government employees in 14 departments are also funded by casino revenue.

At a Tuesday press conference, the leadership of the United Keetoowah Band and its casino declined to respond to Hembree’s comments other than saying they expected the appeal. Instead, they spoke about the decision itself and what it means for the tribe’s 14,600 citizens.

“Now we feel like we’re equal (with other area tribes),” Assistant Chief Charles Locust said. “This just gives us the opportunity to show what we can do.”

Among the opportunities before the tribe, Locust said, are chances for more funding through federal departments and programs, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We’re eligible for more grants and services for our people now that we’re no longer a landless tribe,” Locust said. “That means more jobs, more scholarships, more opportunities to help our people.

“This decision is everything. This is a new day for us.”